Playing with ourselves: Cougars v Cougars...Season opener!

[USUC]

Leach used to lay the mack down at King Henry? Well I'll be!

http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/co...a4bcf887a.html

I find this quote funny:

He points out that WSU is probably "more BYU than BYU" considering not just how much it throws, but the versions of those passes from the Edwards era.

Leach led team's are more BYU than BYU? Certainly appears to be the case the last couple of years for BYU. Interestingly enough, I think the key to winning this game is getting the running game going. If not, I think BYU loses a shootout.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Leach used to lay the mack down at King Henry? Well I'll be!

http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/co...a4bcf887a.html

Nice, I macked on my wife at King Henry.

[Moliere]

It's Game Week!! Holy crap that summer took forever!!

:byu1::byu2::clap:

[Green Monstah]

I'm so amped up. I don't know how I'm going to get through work this week.

[smokymountainrain]

That, and I would assume that Bronco/Doman will be trying to hold onto the ball, extend drives, and not score too quickly.

Over 61. I agree about the coaches wanted to hold the ball on long drives, but they aren't taking snaps. Nelson will go downfield early and often, and Leach's defense won't be able to contain Hoff, Apo and co. Similarly, Byu's LBs and secondary will have all kinds of issues with Leach's quick passing game.

[Goatnapper'96]

Over 61. I agree about the coaches wanted to hold the ball on long drives, but they aren't taking snaps. Nelson will go downfield early and often, and Leach's defense won't be able to contain Hoff, Apo and co. Similarly, Byu's LBs and secondary will have all kinds of issues with Leach's quick passing game.

I think Leach's offense is going to struggle a great deal of the time this week. I think their players will not really be clear on their assignments. If there is one thing BYU's zone defense does is eat up confused qbs who don't really know the assignments.

I think a late touchdown will give them their finishing score of 17 points.

[TripletDaddy]

Bronco wants fast start this year

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765599571/BYU-football-Cougars-expect-a-faster-start-for-the-offense-this-season.html

With Thursday's season-opener at LaVell Edwards Stadium against Washington State (8:15 p.m., MT, ESPN) rapidly approaching, the reality is that in Mendenhall's previous seven campaigns at the helm, BYU's offense has sputtered in almost every season-opener, averaging about 18 points per game. Take away the 41 points scored in the 2008 opener against FCS opponent Northern Iowa, that average drops to a lackluster 14.5.

With a senior quarterback, a variety of proven playmakers and a clearer identity, is this year's offense equipped to start strong?

"From what I saw in practice, yeah," Mendenhall said. "They're hard to stop. I just kind of gauge it by that. I like the way they work."

[smokymountainrain]

I think Leach's offense is going to struggle a great deal of the time this week. I think their players will not really be clear on their assignments. If there is one thing BYU's zone defense does is eat up confused qbs who don't really know the assignments.

I think a late touchdown will give them their finishing score of 17 points.

As always, I like the way you think, but will remain skeptical until they get some stops.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I'm sure a lot of us are still a bit gunshy about predicting great offensive success after last year's opening failures, especially after all the hype. I'm hopeful that the transplant of Jimmy Mac's heart into the offense this year will make a big and positive difference.

[Eddie]

Bronco wants fast start this year

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...is-season.html

...
With a senior quarterback, a variety of proven playmakers and a clearer identity, is this year's offense equipped to start strong?

"From what I saw in practice, yeah," Mendenhall said. "They're hard to stop. I just kind of gauge it by that. I like the way they work."

This is my wish for BYU's offense. That they have some sort of identity. Doman described one last year, but they were unable to pull it off. He was able to verbalize it a little more going into this year - but until I see it I am skeptical.

[Goatnapper'96]

I'm sure a lot of us are still a bit gunshy about predicting great offensive success after last year's opening failures, especially after all the hype. I'm hopeful that the transplant of Jimmy Mac's heart into the offense this year will make a big and positive difference.

Part of the offensive explosion, IMO, is that Leach will not be conservative like Ole Miss was last year. Leach knows there is no way he can win a defensive struggle against BYU. His team lacks depth and experience on defense. BYU will wear down Wazzu in the trenches. Leach is gonna be Leach and he will take chances and throw the ball a lot. BYU will have many more series as a result and a few of them are likely to be in very favorable circumstances with good field position, IMO.

I will be surprised if BYU fails to score at least 24 points and I am predicting in the 30's with a couple of scores being the result of Wazzu mistakes.

[Goatnapper'96]

As always, I like the way you think, but will remain skeptical until they get some stops.

I don't think it will tell you much about BYU this year, I just think Wazzu is going to really struggle out the gate. This will be a game that I think would be enormously different if the two teams played again in November.

[Goatnapper'96]

This is my wish for BYU's offense. That they have some sort of identity. Doman described one last year, but they were unable to pull it off. He was able to verbalize it a little more going into this year - but until I see it I am skeptical.

Doman was in over his head last year. He is likely to be in over his head again this year but not as bad. Next year he will still be in over his head and I think it will look more obvious as well. By the time Taysom Hill is a junior Doman should start finding his groove - or Mendenhall made an enormous blunder.

[Surfah]

Does anyone know if KVN is starting?

[Coach McGuirk]

Does anyone know if KVN is starting?

yes.